Bierleinl v. Grandview Hts. Bd. of Zoning Appeals

[Cite as Bierleinl v. Grandview Hts. Bd. of Zoning Appeals, 2020-Ohio-1395.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
Matthew Bierlein et al., :
Appellants-Appellants, :
No. 18AP-874
v. : (C.P.C. No. 17CV-5071)
Grandview Heights Board of Zoning : (REGULAR CALENDAR)
Appeals City of Grandview Heights,
Ohio, :
Appellee-Appellee. :
D E C I S I O N
Rendered on April 9, 2020
On brief: Matthew Bierlein, pro se. Argued: Matthew
Bierlein.
On brief: Laura MacGregor Comek Law, Laura M. Comek
and Tracy L. Bradford, for appellee. Argued: Laura M.
Comek.
APPEAL from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
BROWN, J.
{¶ 1} Appellants, Matthew and Jennifer Bierlein, appeal from a judgment of the
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas affirming the order of appellee, Grandview
Heights Board of Zoning Appeals ("BZA"). For the reasons which follow, we affirm the
judgment of the common pleas court.
{¶ 2} Appellants own real property located at 1278 West 1st Avenue in the city of
Grandview Heights, Ohio. The structures on the property include a single-family home
constructed in 1923 and a detached two-story garage constructed in 1989. Appellants
purchased the property in 2012.
No. 18AP-874 2
{¶ 3} On March 2, 2017, appellants filed an application for a building permit with
the city's Director of Building and Zoning ("Director"). Appellants sought a permit to add
a full bathroom to the second floor of their garage. Appellants also filed a memorandum in
support of their permit application.
{¶ 4} Appellants noted in the memorandum that the second floor of their garage
was "separated from the first floor via an interior wall and door. The second floor and a
portion of the first floor are conditioned with HVAC." (Mar. 2, 2017 Memo at 1.) Appellants
asserted the city's zoning code allowed for the addition of a bathroom to a garage so long as
the improvements did not create a dwelling unit. Appellants noted that, while a dwelling
unit required permanent provisions for sleeping, cooking, and sanitation, their proposed
improvements would "only provide for an area for sleeping and for sanitation." (Mar. 2,
2017 Memo at 2.) Alternatively, appellants asserted the HVAC system made their garage a
permissible non-conforming use, and that they were entitled to add the bathroom to the
garage "as a continuation of the non-conforming use of the building." (Mar. 2, 2017 Memo
at 4.)
{¶ 5} On March 28, 2017, appellants filed a request for zoning interpretation and a
statement of reason with the BZA. Appellants explained in their statement of reason that
the Director informed them on March 23, 2017 that their permit "application was 'on hold'
and that [appellants] could take the matter to the BZA." Appellants informed the BZA that
they sought to convert "the second floor of the garage into an in-law suite with a bathroom,
for use by out-of-town family and guests." (Statement of Reason at 1.) Appellants reiterated
they were entitled to make their proposed improvements as a matter of right under the
zoning code, or that alternatively the proposed improvements were permissible as a
continuation of a non-conforming use of the garage. The BZA notified appellants their case
would be heard at their April 12, 2017 meeting.
{¶ 6} At the April 12, 2017 meeting, the Director presented BZA's staff report on
appellants' case to the BZA. The staff report noted that appellants' garage "was properly
permitted as a detached accessory garage structure in 1989." As the city had "no records of
any other permitted work for the accessory garage structure," the staff report concluded the
"garage conversion work" to add the HVAC system appeared "to have been accomplished
without proper permits and approvals." The staff report explained the addition of a full
bathroom "to create an in-law suite for sleeping and bathing" in the garage would "create
No. 18AP-874 3
in essence two single family dwellings on one lot" in violation of the city's zoning code. (BZA
Staff Report at 2-3.)
{¶ 7} Mr. Bierlein informed the BZA at the meeting that appellants sought to add
the bathroom to the second floor of their garage to create a "quiet space for in-laws" to stay
when they came to visit. (Hearing Tr. at 14.) Appellants argued that their proposed in-law
suite was permissible as it would not contain a kitchen and, therefore, would not constitute
a dwelling unit. BZA member Kristen Dickerson argued that appellants' improvements
would create a dwelling unit, as appellants' "intent [was to use their garage] as a separate
living quarter." (Hearing Tr. at 22.) The Director noted that accessory structures in the city
had to be uninhabitable and explained the city's residential housing code defined habitable
space as "a space in a building for living, sleeping, eating or cooking." Because appellants'
guests would sleep in the proposed in-law suite, the Director asserted that appellants would
have people "living in that space" in violation of the zoning code. (Hearing Tr. at 19.)
{¶ 8} Mr. Bierlein further noted that as the garage was "an existing non-
conforming structure" with an HVAC system, adding a "bathroom [would not] change the
use" of the structure. (Hearing Tr. at 14.) Acting Chairman of the BZA, Markus Bonn, noted
that the bathroom would "change the use of that space" as it would allow someone "to
inhabit it." (Hearing Tr. at 26.) The Director noted that the "garage itself was built in '89,
and it was built as a garage as uninhabitable." Thus, the Director asserted that "[i]f there's
no record of a permit for that conversion" to add the HVAC system, "the city's point is that
it's always a garage, so it remains that way." (Hearing Tr. at 18.)
{¶ 9} At the end of the hearing on appellants' case, BZA member Dickerson made
the following motion:
[T]o uphold the determination of the Director * * * relating to
Zoning Code Section 1139.04(a) – and Sections 1153.02(b),
1153.02(f), 1133.02(1), 1133.02(2), 1133.02(31). The structure is
an accessory garage; it is not a non-conforming use. It is not a
matter of right. It would constitute a dwelling unit with living
quarters if approved. Zoning Code Sections cited does not allow
conversion into a dwelling unit or to be modified to add an
existing bathroom.
(Apr. 12, 2017 BZA Meeting Minutes at 5.)
{¶ 10} The BZA members all voted to approve the motion. Appellants appealed the
BZA's decision to the common pleas court.
No. 18AP-874 4
{¶ 11} On September 15, 2017, appellants filed a brief in the common pleas court.
Appellants initially asserted the BZA lacked jurisdiction to consider their appeal as the
Director had neither approved nor rejected their application for a building permit. Rather,
appellants noted the Director had put their application on hold. Appellants further asserted
the BZA's decision was legally incorrect because their proposed improvements would not
create a dwelling unit. Appellants alleged that the proceedings before the BZA failed to
comport with due process, and that the BZA failed to conduct an appropriate inquiry to
determine whether their garage was a non-conforming use. Appellants asserted the BZA's
non-conforming use determination could subject them to various sanctions as their garage
was in excess of the zoning code's size standards for accessory structures.
{¶ 12} The BZA filed a brief responding to appellants' contentions on October 2,
2017. The BZA noted that appellants' proposed improvements were not permissible, as the
city's zoning code did not permit people to live in garages. The BZA further noted that
appellants did not present any evidence to support their non-conforming use contention,
and that appellants' "assumption" that their garage was a non-conforming size "was never
proven." (BZA's Trial Brief at 10.) Appellants filed a reply brief on October 9, 2017.
{¶ 13} On October 19, 2018, the common pleas court issued a decision and judgment
entry affirming the BZA's decision. The court held that the BZA had jurisdiction to hear
appellants' appeal and concluded the city's zoning code did not permit appellants to add a
bathroom to their garage. The court concluded appellants' proposed improvements would
create a dwelling unit as appellants intended to use their garage "as separate living quarters
for visitors," and stated that the garage did not need to "have a kitchen to constitute a
'dwelling unit.' " (Decision at 7-8.) The court further held that, even if appellants' proposed
improvements would not create a dwelling unit, "the use of the garage as an in-law suite
[was] prohibited by City Ord. 1153.02(f)." (Decision at 8.) The court concluded appellants
alleged due process violations lacked merit. The court noted that, as "the only permit on file
relating to the Property's garage was issued in 1989 for the construction of an uninhabitable
garage," there was "no evidence on which the BZA could have concluded that the garage
ha[d] an existing (lawful) non-conforming use." (Decision at 9-10.) The court observed that
the BZA determined whether the garage had "an existing non-conforming 'use' but did not
decide whether the garage [was] also a non-conforming 'size.' " (Decision at 10.)
No. 18AP-874 5
{¶ 14} Appellants appeal, presenting the following three assignments of error for
our review:
[I.] The Trial Court erred as a matter of law when it ruled that
Appellants could not construct the proposed improvements to
their garage as a matter of right under the zoning ordinance.
[II.] The trial court erred as a matter of law in determining
that the board of zoning appeals' handling of the appeal of
Appellants' building permit application and Appellants'
request for determination of nonconforming use did not
violate Appellants' due process rights.
[III.] The trial court erred as a matter of law when it failed to
consider the whole record when determining whether there
existed a preponderance of reliable, probative, and substantial
evidence to support the board of zoning appeals' decision.
{¶ 15} R.C. Chapter 2506 governs appeals to the courts of common pleas from final
orders of administrative officers and agencies of political subdivisions, including municipal
boards of zoning appeals. Cleveland Clinic Found. v. Bd. of Zoning Appeals, 141 Ohio St.3d
318, 2014-Ohio-4809, ¶ 22. When presented with an R.C. Chapter 2506 administrative
appeal, the common pleas court must consider the "whole record" to determine whether
the administrative "order, adjudication, or decision is unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary,
capricious, unreasonable, or unsupported by the preponderance of substantial, reliable,
and probative evidence." R.C. 2506.04. While the common pleas court may not " 'blatantly
substitute its judgment for that of the agency, especially in areas of administrative
expertise,' " the court "is charged with 'weigh[ing] the evidence in the record * * * to
determine whether there exists a preponderance of reliable, probative and substantial
evidence to support the agency decision.' " Cooper State Bank v. Columbus, 10th Dist. No.
14AP-414, 2015-Ohio-2533, ¶ 16, quoting Dudukovich v. Lorain Metro. Housing Auth., 58
Ohio St.2d 202, 207 (1979).
{¶ 16} "The standard of review to be applied by the court of appeals in an R.C.
2506.04 appeal is 'more limited in scope.' " (Emphasis sic.) Henley v. Youngstown Bd. of
Zoning Appeals, 90 Ohio St.3d 142, 147 (2000), quoting Kisil v. Sandusky, 12 Ohio St.3d
30, 34 (1984). R.C. 2506.04 grants an appellate court the authority "to review the judgment
of the common pleas court only on 'questions of law,' which does not include the same
extensive power to weigh 'the preponderance of substantial, reliable and probative
No. 18AP-874 6
evidence' as is granted to the common pleas court." Id., quoting Kisil at fn. 4. However,
"[w]hether a trial court abused its discretion is within the ambit of 'questions of law' for
appellate court review in administrative appeals under R.C. 2506.04." Cooper State Bank
at ¶ 17, citing Henley at 148. Thus, the appellate court must determine " 'whether the
common pleas court abused its discretion in finding that the administrative order was or
was not supported by reliable, probative and substantial evidence.' " Cross Country Inns,
Inc. v. Westerville, 10th Dist. No. 02AP-410, 2003-Ohio-3297, ¶ 22, quoting Ashland v.
Gene's Citgo, 10th Dist. No. 99AP-938 (Apr. 20, 2000).
{¶ 17} Initially, although not raised by either party on appeal, we feel compelled to
address the BZA's jurisdiction in the present case. "An administrative agency, such as the
[BZA], that is created by a legislative body is limited to exercise only such authority granted
to it by the legislative body." Banks v. Upper Arlington, 10th Dist. No. 03AP-656, 2004-
Ohio-3307, ¶ 17, citing State ex rel. Shaker Square Co. v. Guion, 76 Ohio Law Abs. 524(1957). Thus, "an administrative agency given the authority to hear appeals may only act
within the jurisdiction delineated by statute or code language." Id. Accord Cuyahoga Cty.
Bd. of Cty. Commrs. v. Daroczy, 10th Dist. No. 08AP-123, 2008-Ohio-5564, ¶ 17. However,
"statutes providing for appeals should be given a liberal interpretation in favor of appeal."
Waltco Truck Equip. Co. v. Tallmadge Bd. of Zoning Appeals, 40 Ohio St.3d 41, 42 (1988),
citing Van Meter v. Segul-Schadel Co., 5 Ohio St.2d 185 (1966), paragraph one of the
syllabus.
{¶ 18} The city's zoning code provides that the Director shall examine applications
for a building permit and either "approve such application and issue a permit" or "reject
such application." Grandview Heights Ordinance ("G.H.O.") 1137.06. The Director did not
approve or reject appellants' permit application. Instead, the Director informed appellants
in a March 23, 2017 e-mail that their application was being put on hold due to non-
compliance with the following zoning code provisions: G.H.O. 1133.02(31), 1133.02(1),
1133.02(2), and 1153.02(f). The zoning code provisions noted by the Director define
dwellings and accessory structures.
{¶ 19} The BZA has authority to "hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is
an error in order, requirement, decision or determination made by the Director * * * in the
enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance in residential districts." G.H.O. 1139.04(a). Thus, the
BZA's jurisdiction is not limited to reviewing the Director's decisions approving or rejecting
No. 18AP-874 7
permit applications. Rather, G.H.O. 1139.04(a) broadly permits the BZA to review any
decision or determination made by the Director in the enforcement of the zoning ordinance
in the city's residential districts. Appellants' property is located in the city's residential "RS-
2" zoning district. The Director's decision to place appellants' permit application on hold
was based on the Director's determination that appellants' proposed improvements did not
comply with the zoning code requirements applicable to accessory structures. As such,
G.H.O. 1139.04(a) authorized the BZA to review the Director's decision. Indeed, the BZA
voted to uphold the "determination of the Director" regarding the relevant zoning code
provisions. (Apr. 12, 2017 BZA Meeting Minutes at 5.)
{¶ 20} G.H.O. 1153.03(g) provides that "[w]hether a nonconforming use exists shall
be a question of fact and shall be decided by the Board of Zoning Appeals after public notice
and hearing." Accordingly, the BZA had jurisdiction over both aspects of appellants' case.
{¶ 21} Appellants' first assignment of error asserts the common pleas court erred in
ruling that the zoning code did not permit appellants to make their proposed improvements
as a matter of right. Appellants contend that because they will add a bathroom, but no
kitchen, to their garage the improvements are permissible as they will not create a dwelling
unit.
{¶ 22} "Interpretation of a zoning ordinance raises a question of law within the court
of appeals' limited review in an R.C. 2506.04 appeal." JP Morgan Chase Bank, Inc. v.
Dublin, 10th Dist. No. 10AP-965, 2011-Ohio-3823, ¶ 11. See Lang v. Dir., Ohio Dept. of Job
& Family Servs., 134 Ohio St.3d 296, 2012-Ohio-5366, ¶ 12 (noting that "[a] question of
statutory construction presents an issue of law that we determine de novo on appeal"). A
court should give the words in a zoning regulation the meaning commonly attributed to
them unless a contrary intention appears in the regulation. State ex rel. Bailey v. Madison,
10th Dist. No. 12AP-284, 2012-Ohio-4950, ¶ 7, citing Akwen, Ltd. v. Ravenna Zoning Bd.
of Appeals, 11th Dist. No. 2001-P-0029 (Mar. 29, 2002). Indeed, the primary goal of
statutory interpretation is to give effect to the intent of the enacting body. Christie v. GMS
Mgt. Co., 88 Ohio St.3d 376, 377 (2000). A zoning provision must not be viewed in
isolation; "rather, its 'meaning should be derived from a reading of the provision taken in
the context of the entire ordinance.' " Cleveland Clinic Found. at ¶ 35, quoting Henley at
152.
No. 18AP-874 8
{¶ 23} When an ordinance is unambiguous and conveys a clear meaning, a court
must only read and follow the words of the ordinance. Bailey at ¶ 8. Accord Banks at ¶ 29
(stating that "a court must adhere to the plain language of the statute or ordinance unless
an ambiguity exists"). If ambiguity exists, "courts must strictly construe restrictions on the
use of real property in favor of the property owner." Bailey at ¶ 7, citing Allen v. Cty. Bd. of
Zoning Appeals, 186 Ohio App.3d 196, 2010-Ohio-377, ¶ 16 (2d Dist.). However, "there is
no need to strictly construe an ordinance that has a definite meaning." Banks at ¶ 33, citing
Doersam v. Gahanna, 10th Dist. No. 96APF12-1766 (Sept. 30, 1997).
{¶ 24} The city has adopted a planning and zoning code, contained in Part Eleven
Titles Three and Five of the city's codified ordinances. G.H.O. 1131.01. Permitted uses of
property in the RS-2 zoning district include "single-family dwelling[s]" and "[a]ccessory
uses and structures in association with permitted dwellings." G.H.O. 1155.01(a)(1) and (4);
1155.02(a). Two-family dwellings are permitted in the RS-2 district only with prior approval
from the city's planning commission. G.H.O. 1153.01(h); 1155.02(b).
{¶ 25} The zoning code provides that an accessory use or structure "shall only be
permitted in association with a principal use or structure within the City when the following
requirements are met: * * * [i]t shall not contain or be used as a dwelling unit." G.H.O.
1153.02(b). A "[d]welling unit" is defined as "one or more rooms in a dwelling occupied or
intended to be occupied as separate living quarters by a single family." G.H.O. 1133.02(36).
A "[d]welling" is defined as "any building or portion thereof which is designed and used
exclusively for residential purposes with permanent provisions for sleeping, cooking and
sanitation." G.H.O. 1133.02(31).
{¶ 26} As a dwelling unit is defined as rooms "in a dwelling," the dwelling unit
definition incorporates the definition of a dwelling. Accordingly, a dwelling unit consists of
one or more rooms in a residential building or portion thereof with permanent provisions
for sleeping, cooking, and sanitation, which is occupied or intended to be occupied as
separate living quarters by a single family. See also G.H.O. 1133.02(32) (defining a
"dwelling, single-family" as a "building arranged or designed for or occupied exclusively by
one family"); G.H.O. 1133.02(33) (defining a "[d]welling, two-family" as a "dwelling
arranged or designed for or occupied exclusively by two families, the structure having only
two dwelling units with separate entrances"); G.H.O. 1133.02(7) (defining an "apartment"
by stating "[s]ee 'dwelling unit' "). The plain language of the zoning code requires that a
No. 18AP-874 9
dwelling unit contain permanent provisions for sleeping, cooking, and sanitation. As
appellants do not intend to add a kitchen to their garage, their proposed improvements will
not create a dwelling unit.
{¶ 27} However, the zoning code defines an "accessory structure" as a "subordinate,
uninhabitable structure, the use of which is incidental to and customary in connection with
the principal building or use and which is located on the same lot with same principal
building or use." G.H.O. 1133.02(1). Thus, as an accessory structure, a garage must be
uninhabitable. The zoning code does not define the term "uninhabitable." Any word not
defined in the zoning code "shall be as defined in any recognized standard English
dictionary." G.H.O. 1133.01. "Uninhabitable" is defined as "unsuitable for living in." New
Oxford American Dictionary 1890 (3d Ed.2010). "Uninhabitable" is also defined as the
opposite of "habitable," which is defined as "capable of being lived in: suitable for
habitation." Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 559, 1358-59 (11th Ed.2014).
{¶ 28} Appellants contend the term "uninhabitable structure" in G.H.O. 1133.02(1)
essentially restates the G.H.O. 1153.02(b) prohibition against "the use of an accessory
structure as a dwelling unit." (Appellants' Brief at 34.) In considering statutory language, it
is the duty of the court to give effect to the words used in a statute, not to delete words used
or insert words not used. Cleveland Elec. Illum Co. v. Cleveland, 37 Ohio St.3d 50 (1988),
paragraph three of the syllabus.
{¶ 29} Whether a structure is habitable or uninhabitable concerns whether the
structure is suitable for living in. A structure may be suitable for living even if it does not
contain the elements necessary to constitute a dwelling unit. For instance, a hotel room
consisting of a bed and a bathroom is a habitable space for transient guests. See G.H.O.
1133.02(53) (defining a "hotel" as a building containing "guest rooms kept, used,
maintained or held out to the public as sleeping accommodations offered for pay to
transient guests for a period of thirty (30) days or less"). Indeed, a structure may be suitable
for living even if its occupants will only live in the structure for short durations. As
appellants intend to add a full bathroom to the second floor of their garage to create an in-
law suite, appellants' proposed improvements would turn their garage into a habitable
structure.
{¶ 30} Furthermore, G.H.O. 1153.02(f) provides that in the city's residential zoning
districts "accessory structure and uses are limited to: tennis court, basketball court,
No. 18AP-874 10
playground structures, hot tub, gazebo, swimming pool, garden house, garage, carport,
pergola, barbecue oven, fireplace, ground level patio, detached ground level deck,
greenhouse and similar uses customarily accessory to residential uses." The enclosed
accessory structures identified in G.H.O. 1153.02(f) are all storage-type accessory
structures. See Henley at 150 (noting that a zoning code provision defining accessory
structures as including sheds, garages, and greenhouses presented a "list of structurally
similar storage- or workshop-type buildings").
{¶ 31} Accordingly, an accessory structure used for people to stay in, such as an in-
law suite, is not a use similar to the permissible accessory structures identified in G.H.O.
1153.02(f). See Thomas v. Freeman, 79 Ohio St.3d 221, 224 (1997) (holding that
"[e]xpressio unius est esclusio alterius means that 'the expression of one thing is the
exclusion of the other' "); New Albany Park Condominium Assn. v. Lifestyle Communities,
LTD, 195 Ohio App.3d 459, 2011-Ohio-2806, ¶ 24 (10th Dist.); 1476 Davenport Ave. v.
Cleveland, 8th Dist. No. 74810 (Nov. 10, 1999) (observing that as "hotels" were not listed
in the zoning code definition of "multiple dwelling" the "doctrine of expressio unius est
exclusion alterius applie[d]"). (Emphasis sic.) Compare Village of Grand River v.
G.B.K.G., 11th Dist. No. 2003-L-118, 2004-Ohio-5627, ¶ 25-32 (city's zoning code
specifically allowing for in-law suites as an auxiliary use of a single-family residence).
Accordingly, G.H.O. 1153.02(f) demonstrates that accessory structures intended for even
temporary over-night occupancy by individuals were purposefully omitted from the list of
permitted uses in the RS-2 zoning district.
{¶ 32} Thus, appellants were not entitled to make their proposed improvements as
a matter of right under the city's zoning code.1 Although the common pleas court held
appellants' proposed improvements would create a dwelling unit in their garage, we must
affirm the court's judgment because it is legally correct on other grounds. Hassey v.
Columbus, 10th Dist. No. 17AP-726, 2018-Ohio-3958, ¶ 33, quoting Reynolds v. Budzik,
134 Ohio App.3d 844, 846 (6th Dist.1999) (observing that " 'when a trial court has stated
an erroneous basis for its judgment, an appellate court must affirm the judgment if it is
legally correct on other grounds, that is, it achieves the right result for the wrong reason,
1Appellants never attempted to seek a variance from the requirements of the zoning code. See Budget Car
Sales v. Groveport Bd. of Zoning Appeals, 10th Dist. No. 01AP-932, 2002-Ohio-2809, ¶ 7, citing
Nunamaker v. Bd. of Zoning Appeals, 2 Ohio St.3d 115, 118 (1982) (explaining that "[a] variance authorizes
a landowner to establish or maintain a use which is prohibited by zoning regulations").
No. 18AP-874 11
because such an error is not prejudicial' "). The common pleas court correctly held that the
use of a garage as an in-law suite was prohibited by G.H.O. 1153.02(f).
{¶ 33} Based on the foregoing, appellants' first assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 34} Appellants' second assignment of error asserts the common pleas court erred
in determining that the proceedings before the BZA did not violate appellants' due process
rights.
{¶ 35} "Due process rights guaranteed by the United States and Ohio Constitutions
apply in administrative proceedings." MacConnell v. Ohio Dept. of Commerce, 10th Dist.
No. 04AP-433, 2005-Ohio-1960, ¶ 24. Due process " 'is a flexible concept and calls for such
procedural safeguards as the particular situation demands.' " Id., quoting LTV Steel Co. v.
Indus. Comm., 140 Ohio App.3d 680, 688 (10th Dist.2000). The fundamental requirement
of procedural due process is "notice and hearing, that is, an opportunity to be heard." Korn
v. Ohio Med. Bd., 61 Ohio App.3d 677, 684 (10th Dist.1988). "The issue of * * * procedural
due process relating to the [agency's] hearing is a question of law." Planet Earth
Entertainment v. Ohio Liquor Control Comm., 125 Ohio App.3d 619, 622 (10th Dist.1998).
{¶ 36} Appellants initially assert the BZA proceedings failed to comport with due
process because appellants "were not provided the Staff Report in advance of the hearing
and the BZA Notice indicated solely an 'appeal' – Appellants were unsure that the
determination of nonconforming use would even be considered at the BZA Hearing."
(Appellant's Brief at 41.) Appellants fail to identify any rule demonstrating they were
entitled to receive the BZA's staff report prior to the hearing. Appellants were aware of the
facts of the case and were able to research all the issues addressed in the staff report.
{¶ 37} The BZA notified appellants that their case would be heard at the April 12,
2017 meeting by sending appellants a copy of the meeting agenda. The agenda identified
appellants' names and case number and gave the following description of the case: "The
Applicant is seeking to appeal the determination of the Director * * * relating to Zoning
Code Section 1139.04(a) – and Sections 1153.02(b), 1153.02(f), 1133.02(1), 1133.02(2),
1133.02(31). The applicant is proposing to add a full bathroom to an existing detached
accessory garage to create an in-law suite." (Apr. 12, 2017 Meeting Agenda.) Due process
requires that litigants receive " 'notice reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances,
to apprise interested parties of the pendency of the action and afford them an opportunity
to present their objections.' " Ohio Valley Radiology Assocs. v. Ohio Valley Hospital Assn.,
No. 18AP-874 12
28 Ohio St.3d 118, 124-25 (1986), quoting Mullane v. Cent. Hanover Bank & Trust Co., 339
U.S. 306, 314 (1950).
{¶ 38} Although the meeting agenda did not note appellants' non-conforming use
argument, appellants raised their non-conforming use argument in the documents they
filed with the BZA. By placing appellants' case on the April 12, 2017 meeting agenda, the
BZA provided appellants with sufficient notice of their opportunity to present any
objections they had to the BZA, including their contentions regarding the alleged non-
conforming use of their property. Compare Rizzo-Lortz v. Erie Ins. Group, 10th Dist. No.
17AP-623, 2019-Ohio-2133, ¶ 13 (noting that although due process "demands that litigants
receive some form of reasonable notice of hearings," the notice "need not be actual notice,"
and "[i]n the absence of a court rule mandating that actual notice occur, ' "due process is
satisfied where the trial court sets a case down on its docket for hearing, since the parties
or their attorneys are expected to keep themselves advised of the progress of their cases" ' ").
Id., quoting Yoder v. Thorpe, 10th Dist. No. 07AP-225, 2007-Ohio-5866, ¶ 13, quoting
Metcalf v. Ohio State Univ. Hosp., 2 Ohio App.3d 166, 168 (10th Dist.1981). Appellants fail
to demonstrate a due process violation resulting from the description of their case on the
meeting agenda.
{¶ 39} Appellants contend the BZA violated their right to due process by failing to
conduct a meaningful inquiry to determine whether their garage was a lawful non-
conforming use. The zoning code provides that the "lawful use of a building" existing at the
effective date of G.H.O. 1153.03 "may be continued although such use does not conform to
the provisions hereof." G.H.O. 1153.03(b).2 If a building has a lawful non-conforming use
and no significant structural alterations are made to the building, "a nonconforming use of
a building may be changed to another nonconforming use of the same or of a more
restricted classification." G.H.O. 1153.03(b). Accord R.C. 713.15. However, an "illegal
nonconforming use" under the terms of a prior zoning ordinance "shall not automatically
become a legal nonconforming use by the adoption of [the city's current] Zoning
Ordinance." G.H.O. 1153.03(h).
{¶ 40} Thus, "[a] non-conforming use of land is a use that was lawful before the
enactment of a zoning amendment, but one which, although no longer valid under the
2 G.H.O. 1153.03(b) indicates that it became effective September 8, 1998.
No. 18AP-874 13
current zoning rules, may be lawfully continued." Bailey at ¶ 14, citing Wooster v.
Entertainment One, Inc., 158 Ohio App.3d 161, 2004-Ohio-3846, ¶ 45 (9th Dist.).
" 'The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Section 16, Article I of
the Ohio Constitution recognize a right to continue a given use of real property if such use
is already in existence at the time of the enactment of a land use regulation forbidding or
restricting the land use in question.' " Id., quoting Wooster at ¶ 45.
{¶ 41} Appellants contend that the BZA failed to "consider[] the evidence necessary"
to determine whether their garage was a legal non-conforming use, because the BZA failed
"to review the old Zoning Ordinance in effect in 1989" and failed to review the "1989 permit
records relating to the garage." (Appellant's Brief at 44, 45.) However, appellants failed to
present such evidence to the BZA.
{¶ 42} "The burden of proof to establish a non-conforming use is on the landowner."
Bailey at ¶ 15, citing State v. Teachout, 11th Dist. No. 2004-T-0129, 2005-Ohio-5119, ¶ 13.
Accord Columbus v. Reiner, 10th Dist. No. 16AP-513, 2018-Ohio-975, ¶ 24. To demonstrate
a lawful non-conforming use, a landowner must establish the following two requirements:
(1) that the use was "in existence prior to the enactment of the prohibitory land use
regulation," and (2) that "the land use in question was lawful at the time the use was
established." Id. at ¶ 15, citing Barnes v. Koon, 5th Dist. No. 08-CA-14, 2009-Ohio-277, ¶
17. "Stated another way, the use in question must have been in full conformance with all
applicable land use regulations in effect when the activity was begun." Dublin v. Finkes, 83
Ohio App.3d 687, 690 (10th Dist.1992). Accord Pschesang v. Terrace Park, 5 Ohio St.3d
47 (1983), syllabus (holding that "[a] use of property must be lawful at the time the use was
established in order to qualify as a nonconforming use").
{¶ 43} As the city had a permit for the construction of the garage in 1989 but had no
permit for the addition of the HVAC system to the garage, the Director testified the city's
position was that the structure was "an uninhabitable garage." (Hearing Tr. at 20.) See
G.H.O. 1137.01(a) (providing that no person shall construct or alter a structure without first
receiving a permit from the Director). The Director invited appellants to produce evidence
demonstrating otherwise, noting "[i]f we can find documentation that shows that they had
approvals to convert [the garage], that's a different story." (Hearing Tr. at 18.)
{¶ 44} Appellants did not produce any evidence to demonstrate when the HVAC was
installed in the garage and, thus, failed to establish the HVAC system complied with all
No. 18AP-874 14
applicable zoning regulations when it was installed. The mere existence of the HVAC system
in the garage when appellants purchased the property did not establish the garage had a
lawful non-conforming use. Compare Pschesang at 49 (noting that a purchaser of land has
"the responsibility to check the compatibility of the zoning restrictions and his intended
uses"). Accordingly, appellants failed to carry their burden of proof to establish a lawful
non-conforming use. See Bailey at ¶ 19 (concluding the landowner failed to satisfy her
burden of proof to establish a lawful non-conforming use where the evidence "was unclear
as to precisely when the commercial vehicles had been stored on the property" and
"appellant failed to show that the storage of commercial vehicles was lawful in the
applicable zoning district prior to [the] 1996" zoning resolution); Martin v. Cleveland, 8th
Dist. No. 75405 (Apr. 20, 2000) (holding that the landowner failed to establish a lawful
non-conforming use where the landowner argued that "his property was 'always' used for
outdoor storage," but the prior zoning ordinances required that outdoor storage be
enclosed by a wall, and the landowner "offered no evidence" to demonstrate that "any of
the prior owners of the property" had ever complied with this zoning requirement).
{¶ 45} Nevertheless, appellants assert the BZA's non-conforming use decision was
deficient because the Director failed to introduce the 1989 garage permit at the BZA
meeting,3 in violation of Evid.R. 1002. The Rules of Evidence do not apply in administrative
hearings and, thus, Evid.R. 1002 did not obligate the Director to introduce the permit.
MNH Truck Leasing Co., LLC v. Dir., Ohio Dept. of Job & Family Servs., 10th Dist. No.
16AP-301, 2017-Ohio-442, ¶ 12 (noting that "administrative agencies are not bound by the
strict rules of evidence applied in court"). Moreover, the common pleas court concluded
that the Director's testimony regarding the 1989 permit was credible, given the Director's
position as a "City employee[]" and his "expertise in the area." (Decision at 9.) We find no
abuse of discretion in the common pleas court's assessment of the Director's credibility. See
Orange Barrel Media v. Columbus, 10th Dist. No. 12AP-447, 2012-Ohio-6205, ¶ 8 (noting
3 Although appellants state that the 1989 garage permit was not submitted into the record at the April 12,
2017 BZA meeting, the permit is contained in the official record of proceedings transmitted from the BZA
to the common pleas court. Appellants admit that they received a copy of the 1989 permit after the meeting.
The 1989 permit consists of a ledger sheet listing permits issued in 1988 and 1989 to properties located on
West 1st Avenue The ledger sheet notes that house number 1278 received a permit for a "new garage" in
1989. (1989 Permit Ledger.) The ledger sheet demonstrates that permits for furnaces were issued to other
properties on West 1st Avenue, but there is no indication that house number 1278 received a permit for a
furnace during these years.
No. 18AP-874 15
that in an R.C. Chapter 2506 appeal, the common pleas court must appraise all such
evidence as to the credibility of the witnesses).
{¶ 46} Appellants state that because their "garage is over the size limitation
currently set by the Zoning Ordinance," the BZA's non-conforming use decision has
exposed them to possible criminal penalties. (Appellant's' Brief at 48.) See G.H.O.
1135.99(b) (providing criminal penalties for zoning code violations); G.H.O. 1153.02(a)
(providing size limitations for accessory structures). Appellants' fears about the potential
implications of the BZA's decision are unfounded. The BZA's ruling addressed whether
appellants' garage was a non-conforming use because the garage had an HVAC system. The
BZA never made any finding regarding the alleged non-conforming size of appellants'
garage.
{¶ 47} Appellants further assert they were deprived of due process because the BZA
did not have rules or procedures describing how the BZA would rule on appellants' appeal
or the non-conforming use issue. However, G.H.O. 1139.04(a) provided that the BZA would
review the Director's decisions made in the enforcement of the zoning code for error, and
G.H.O. 1153.03(b) provided that the BZA would determine whether an alleged non-
conforming use was lawful at the effective date of G.H.O. 1153.03. Thus, the zoning code
contained the standards the BZA would use to review appellants' case.
{¶ 48} Appellants finally contend that they were deprived of due process because the
BZA impermissibly relied on definitions from the city's residential house code. Appellants
note that G.H.O. 1133.01 obligated the BZA to use dictionary definitions to define any word
not otherwise defined in the zoning code. In our analysis of appellants' first assignment of
error, we utilized the dictionary definition of "uninhabitable" to conclude that appellants
were not entitled to make their proposed improvements. Accordingly, to the extent the BZA
relied on any definition from the residential housing code, such reliance was harmless
error.
{¶ 49} The common pleas court did not err in rejecting appellants' various due
process arguments. Appellants' second assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 50} Appellants' third assignment of error asserts the common pleas court failed
to consider the whole record in rendering its decision. R.C. 2506.04 obligates a common
pleas court to review the "whole record" to determine whether an agency's decision is
supported by a preponderance of substantial, reliable, and probative evidence. See Athenry
No. 18AP-874 16
Shoppers, Ltd. v. Planning & Zoning Comm. of Dublin, 10th Dist. No. 08AP-742, 2009-
Ohio-2230, ¶ 22 (observing the common pleas court failed to comply with the R.C. 2506.04
standard of review because the court failed to consider a particular witnesses' testimony).
{¶ 51} Appellants fail to point to any evidence in the record that the common pleas
court allegedly failed to consider. Rather, in their third assignment of error, appellants
attempt to rehash the arguments they made in their second assignment of error. We have
already addressed and rejected these arguments in our analysis of appellants' second
assignment of error.
{¶ 52} The record demonstrates the common pleas court considered the whole
record to determine the BZA's decision was supported by a preponderance of substantial,
reliable, and probative evidence. Appellants' third assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 53} Having overruled appellants' three assignments of error, we affirm the
judgment of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.
Judgment affirmed.
SADLER, P.J., and DORRIAN, J., concur.
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